Raheen Stud’s domination of feature QTIS races is poised to continue with brilliant juveniles Rocket to Glory and Noisy Ocean.
The Shovhog youngsters will clash in the rich $250,000 QTIS 600 2YO Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm on July 9.
Rocket To Glory (2g Shovhog – English Summer by Dodge) will return to Brisbane after sizzling front-running victories in QTIS features at Townsville on June 4 and Rockhampton last Saturday.
Rocket To Glory has been a godsend for Mackay trainer John Manzelmann and his connections. He was a snip at $20,000 out of the Raheen draft at the 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 yearlings sale and, so far, has earned $243,000.
“He was a bit wayward early on but hasn’t put a foot wrong since being gelded,” Manzelmann said. “One of his testicles was really large and kept pinching him.”
Rocket To Glory won’t be out of his depth at Eagle Farm. When last in town, he finished fifth to Darley colt Benfica in the LR Hampden Park Stakes at Doomben.
Meanwhile, Noisy Ocean returned to form with a close second to Mahisara in the LR Centenary Classic at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Gold Coast based gelding was another bargain buy from Raheen at the 2010 Magic Millions Summer yearling sale and has earned $216,000 to date.
“He pulled up a treat after Saturday and we’re looking forward to Eagle Farm,” stable manager Daniel Guy said on Tuesday. “We think he’s got a future and he’s already done a great job for a horse that cost us only $15,000.”
Noisy Ocean (2g Shovhog – Hepburn Rose by Sir Tristram) was first emergency for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January but didn’t get a start. He would have struggled to beat Karuta Queen anyway and Guy was happy to pick up a winning consolation next time out at Eagle Farm.
Raheen Stud’s Nolan family are also happy with their winning run in QTIS events this season.
Noisy Ocean and Rocket To Glory are from the penultimate crop of Shovhog but the Nolans have more of the same in the pipeline.
Noisy Ocean’s dam has a weanling colt by Publishing and Rocket To Glory’s dam is in foal to the same sire. Publishing (Testa Rossa) was a G3 winner of the VRC Standish Hcp at Flemington before joining the Raheen roster in 2009.
The Gladfield Valley nursery is gearing up for another busy stud season with the recent acquisition of G1 AJC Epsom Hcp winner Captain Sonador.
Captain Sonador (Shamardal) will stand for an introductory service fee of $11,000 (inc gst).